ABSTRACT
Watershed development programmes in rainfed areas assume importance from the point of view of enhancing the viability of farming, ensuring food security, and restoring ecological balance. The state has a long history of evolving strategies for sustainable livelihood opportunities in dry land regions. The contribution of Karnataka to research, in identifying location-specific low-cost soil and water conservation treatments through operational research projects and evolving an ideal watershed unit for planning for watershed activity, is commendable, including the application of remote sensing, GIS, and weather forecasting, making the programme participatory, and bringing transparency. There has been a significant visible impact on increasing cropping intensity, cropping patterns, crop productivity, farm income, and groundwater recharge. The sustainability of the investment in the watershed programme can be achieved by making the programme technically stronger and convincing all stakeholders to accept sustainable technical options. This may not result in high private gains in the short run but will ensure higher social gains in the long run.
